I've been a long-time Laguna owner. My first was a 75 that I bought in 1990. Drove it for a while, then sold off the 350 and intended a 454 swap. Well, that never happened as life and work got in the way. Its rusting away in the back yard. I call it the organ donor.

I recently picked up a 74 Laguna, white exterior, red interior with swivel buckets of course. 350 4-bbl with 350 auto. its supposedly a 60K mile original CA car. It still has the CA title so I know that's true. Smog pump says Cali also. The body on it is nearly rust-free but it looks like someone painted it with a roller. However, that thick paint might just look better with a cut and buff. At least for now. Main problems is leaking windshield and back window (only a bit as trunk looks good). Its scheduled for all the interior parts I've gathered for the 75. Not sure I want to reupholster the swivel buckets. The passenger is daily driver good, but the driver's seat is pretty much toast.

One thing on the car I noticed is some PO put 17" rims on it. Gonna get some better tires today. But what got my attention is the rims are dual bolt pattern. Looks like the other pattern is 5x5. So I'm seriously thinking of a full Impala/Caprice/B-car front disc and posi rear end transplant. No problems with the 5x5 B-car parts as the 17s are already 5x5. This looks good.

One thing that appears unusual is the 350 4-barrel (which appears all stock, but i noticed silicone seal beneath the intake manifold, and that suggests its been off) has a single exhaust. I thought all 350 4-barrels had dual exhaust. Or perhaps the Laguna was a 2-barrel that someone swapped to a 4-barrel. The manifold does look stock cast iron even with the EGR. Oh, the radiator panel does say 350-400 so it might just have been a 350 4-barrel from the factory, but with single exhaust?

After getting all the lights working and getting it inspected as is, I do plan headers, dual exhaust and one of several Eldebrock manifolds to start. Should be fun. Oh, and get the windows resealed as Texas seems to be having a really wet Winter, which we badly need.

I just discovered my VIN has a U as the engine code. For a 1974, I think that means it was an original 400 cu. in. motor. Unfortunately, the engine is a 350 confirmed from the engine code on the front pad and the balancer. Decoding it seems to indicate a motor from a 79 350. Haven't had the valve covers off to see the cylinder head numbers.

I did also notice there's no 400 on the front fenders above the side lights. Nor does there appear to be holes for the letters. Strange, I thought the 74s had 400 or 454 there.

So I'm wondering if I should try and dig up a 400 block or go with a 5.3 LS transplant.

sportster_restorer wrote:I just discovered my VIN has a U as the engine code. For a 1974, I think that means it was an original 400 cu. in. motor. Unfortunately, the engine is a 350 confirmed from the engine code on the front pad and the balancer. Decoding it seems to indicate a motor from a 79 350. Haven't had the valve covers off to see the cylinder head numbers.

I did also notice there's no 400 on the front fenders above the side lights. Nor does there appear to be holes for the letters. Strange, I thought the 74s had 400 or 454 there.

So I'm wondering if I should try and dig up a 400 block or go with a 5.3 LS transplant.

$3200! Wow these things are bringing some prices up there. I've found good complete 6.0s for $1500 here albeit with no trans. I think I can find complete 5.3s with a 4L60E for $1000 here. Then again, Texas is the land of trucks, so there's getting to be a few engines here.

With the snow that New England just had, I'm betting there will be more than a few bent up trucks with good LS engines on the market.

sportster_restorer wrote:I just discovered my VIN has a U as the engine code. For a 1974, I think that means it was an original 400 cu. in. motor. Unfortunately, the engine is a 350 confirmed from the engine code on the front pad and the balancer. Decoding it seems to indicate a motor from a 79 350. Haven't had the valve covers off to see the cylinder head numbers.

I did also notice there's no 400 on the front fenders above the side lights. Nor does there appear to be holes for the letters. Strange, I thought the 74s had 400 or 454 there.

So I'm wondering if I should try and dig up a 400 block or go with a 5.3 LS transplant.

If your car started life as a Laguna, a lot of it has changed over the years. It w would depend on whether you intend to restore to orig or customize to your liking or a combo of both. 74s had several different engine options, including a 350. Plus, the fender badges were kind of hit and miss in 74. I've seen them with and without. Are the lower stripes red or black? I can't tell from the pic.

sportster_restorer wrote:$3200! Wow these things are bringing some prices up there. I've found good complete 6.0s for $1500 here albeit with no trans. I think I can find complete 5.3s with a 4L60E for $1000 here. Then again, Texas is the land of trucks, so there's getting to be a few engines here.

With the snow that New England just had, I'm betting there will be more than a few bent up trucks with good LS engines on the market.

Sorry was an LS1 out of 2002 Trans am. 4L60e trans. 42k miles on it. compression test is 6 cylinders over 150. one was 147 and another was 142, Complete setup.. trans, motor, ecu harness, etc.